date: 27 February 2007

embargo: 00.01hrs Wednesday 28 February 2007

Children should learn typing at school to help stop RSI epidemic, says TUC

To mark RSI Awareness Day today (Wednesday), the TUC is calling on the Government to help stop the epidemic of the condition that affects tens of thousands of workers across the UK by introducing typing and keyboard skills into schools.

It is estimated that in 2004/05 nearly 375,000 people suffered from a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the upper limbs or neck that was caused or made worse by their current or past work.

RSI is easily preventable if employers undertake a risk assessment and provide proper ergonomic equipment and working methods for staff, however most employers are not currently doing this, says the TUC.

One of the causes of RSI is the large number of "two-fingered typists" who use computers for a considerable part of the working day without any proper keyboard training. The extra force and position of the hands when employees type using only two fingers makes the degree of strain worse. Yet few employers even think of providing training for their staff on this very important workplace skill.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Despite the reality that most people are more likely these days to use a computer to write a document than a pen, school children are not routinely being taught how to type.

'Keyboard skills are not a statutory part of the National Curriculum, although individual schools can decide to introduce them. This means that millions of children are missing out on a life skill that could help protect the workforce of tomorrow from this painful and chronic illness. The Government should introduce touch typing and keyboard skills into the National Curriculum as soon as possible.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Here are some simple tips from the TUC that everyone can take to reduce the incidence of RSI:

The most important factor in workplace design is adjustability. We are all different shapes and sizes. Make sure that your workstation is set up properly. That means, as a minimum:

- You should have enough space to work.

- The top of your screen should be at eye level and at a comfortable distance away from you.

- Your forearms should be horizontal.

- Make sure your employer provides you with an adjustable chair. Ideally you should find it comfortable to sit upright and have the seat tilted slightly forward.

- Your feet should be flat on the floor or on a foot rest if you need one.

- Wrist or palm rests should be provided and there should be space in front of the keyboard to support the hands during pauses in typing.

- If you do a lot of typing then make sure your employer offers you touch-typing training. Two finger typists are far more likely to get pains in the hand wrist and forearms. An alternative is asking for a voice recognition software package.

- Don't use the mouse too much. Always use a mouse mat. Consider using the controls on your computer to slow mouse movements down. Use keyboard shortcuts once you are used to them.

- Take regular short breaks, both from typing and from sitting in the same position.

- You are legally entitled to have your computer equipment and workstation assessed to make sure that it meets your own individual needs. You are also entitled to regular breaks or changes of activities.

- For more information on RSI, visit www.tuc.org.uk/rsi

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Tim Lezard T: 020 7467 1248; E: tlezard@tuc.org.uk

Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (700 words) issued 28 Feb 2007